Would You Pray if your Patient asked?

[LasVegasRN]

If a patient asked you to pray with or for them at the bedside, would you?

I had this discussion with some other nurses and the responses were interesting. Some said they would have no problem, others said it was too personal a request for a patient to ask, and others said they would call the chaplain as they felt it is a chaplain function only.

I witnessed one occurence where a patient asked his nurse to pray with him. Without hesistation, she took his hand and prayed a very nice non-denominational prayer. I realize not everyone can or might not want to do this, but it really brought solace to that patient.

Your thoughts?

[Agnus]

To those who expressed an interest in discovering an understanding of Wicca.

I just went and checked my e mail and what do I find but a poem from my daughter titled. "Grandma Got Runover By a Broomstick" Set to the Tune of "Grandma Got Runover By a Reindeer." Wiccans love to laugh at themselves.

She got it off the site I am about to send you to. I took a very quick cursery look at the site enough to get a feel that you will likely get good information.

Who says the Goddess doesn't work in mysterious ways. What timing.

Wander around the site. There appears to be a lot of good information.

Be aware however, as I forgot to check this out. If there is a charge for teaching then run don't walk it is not a legitamate Wiccan site. A real Wiccan will not charge to give you information or for teaching. Granted there are books that may be recomended and Books do cost money. But see if she charges for classes. (Even though you are likely not interested in classes) This is a mark of someone posing as Wiccan but is not. consequently you would be getting some very wrong information.

Wiccan practice forbids charging to teach anyone. Also be aware in investigating this religion that prostalizing if forbidden. So if someone ever tries to recruite you or get you to join something run. This in not what Wiccans do.

Unfortuantely there are groups out there that call themselves Wiccan that are wholly ignorant of what Wicca is. They like the Idea of the dark side and this is not what we are talking about. Wicca does not believe in a devil, nor promote anything illegal. It forbids harming anything or anyone.

The TV show "Charmed" is about as close to Wicca as Nursing is to commiting murder. It has nothing to do with Wicca and is not a representation of that faith.

Just some caveats if you plan to investigate this.

Almost forgot the site is: http://www.ladybridget.com/index.html

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Yes, and would lead the prayer if asked to do so. But if it was reversed and I was needing prayer? I'd call people who I knew could get a prayer to the God I worship. Let's face it, what good is it if I'm praying to God, Father to Jesus if the person I asked to pray for me is praying to the God of Captian Crunch or The Lord of the Rings? Might as well pray by myself!

[LasVegasRN]

Originally posted by rebelwaclause

Yes, and would lead the prayer if asked to do so. But if it was reversed and I was needing prayer? I'd call people who I knew could get a prayer to the God I worship. Let's face it, what good is it if I'm praying to God, Father to Jesus if the person I asked to pray for me is praying to the God of Captian Crunch or The Lord of the Rings? Might as well pray by myself!

:rotfl: :roll :rotfl:

[Agnus]

Ah heck haven't you heard we live in an age of technology. The Gods now have telephones, computers, faxes they can use to relay messages and wrong numbers. And to top it off they have and operator that know where to direct the call.

I think God is smart enought to figure out what to do with the prayer.

[Q.]

Originally posted by Stargazer

Actually, "Allah" IS the same thing as God. The most user-friendly article you'll ever read on the subject: Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Islam

I should have known that you would steer me correctly.

[Stargazer]

I got your back, babe.

[happthearts]

I feel its perfectly OK to pray with a PT a short little prayer if it gives them comfort or you can ask them if they want to talk to there clergy. I prayed everyday the Rosary with My last PT She was Catholic and I was Mormon I saw the physical comfort it gave her, when she was agitated or in pain and couldn't sleep. The other nurses were amazed that she didn't sleep on there nights and she would sleep on mine. I told them my secret. When they started doing it My Pt slept well. Do I pray with My Pt Yes I do! I have seen the great medical effect it has had on them.

[Agnus]

Happyhearts,

I know that is a streatch for a Latter-Day Saint to pray the Rosary. How generous, loving and wise of you.

[happthearts]

Hey Angus

Thanks for the nice comment, I just feel if it works for them that's great and I do believe like you God Knows just what to do with it. Be his name God, Allah Mother Mary or mother earth. I just see the medical effect over the years By praying. I am not what you would call a religious nut. But if someone wanted me to pray I would. My Pt just got to the point She couldn't do it for her self.

I even knew a RN I worked with that the Pt had asked her to pray and she was an Atheists. She read from the bible and said a little prayer. She said the same thing I did if it makes them feel better Medically its better then giving them a pill when they don't really need it. Its there faith that makes them feel better.

[gambroRN]

I would be honored if a patient feels enough trust in me to ask me to pray with them.

[psychonurse]

I can remember 17 years when I was taking my RN classes, more than once I had my instructors talk to me about praying with my patients and my OB instructor taught us how to do the baptismal on a newborn when they are not doing well or stillborns. I can remember having to do that once while I was a student, I had a mother whose infant wasn't going to make it and I babtized it before it died.

When I worked in hospitals I occasionally would pray with my patients and would sometimes pray for someone that was suffering and would ask for them to have some peace even after I got off work. I also prayed for my parents when they were dying so that they didn't have to suffer anymore.

Now that I am working where I do, I do not pray for my clients as I think that I would probably lose my job for getting to close to them. I have never discussed this with the powers that be but I don't think that correctional nurses should pray for their patients. That could be construed as getting too emotional and getting involved with them. So for now I just say my nightly prayers about keeping my job and stop at that.

[mario_ragucci]

i enjoyed psycholnurses post very much because it introduce new vocabulary. Correctional nurse.

f someone baptized my unborn baby I would just note what year it is. Even though it would be something intended to comfort the living, not a stillborn baby, who has no life. I don't think it is respectful of any mom to display a ritualistic behavior during such a personally tragic event. It's irreverant, and wrong. (no kidding)